Apparatus for projecting rounds of ammunition



L. MCTLEY April 22, 1952 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 4, 1948 A ttorneys L. MOTLEY April 22, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1948 i1 W... mm H 5 g S Q9 YQ \mz Q 3 h Q s W9 3! MQ W Q mg m b 09 o m9 5 m9 Q W 9 x w I v9 m I P N M L. MOTLEY April 22, 1952 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION 6 Sheets$heet 3 Filed May 4, 1948 vs Om QV NW vm M% Q 3 8 mw, Qm

\MQMQQM R: m

Nam

v, M MM W a m I mm 3 W W r VT 1 R 55 5 mm R 3 L. MOTLEY April 22, 1952 2,594,199

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING ROUNDS 0F AMMUNITION 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 4, 1948 T T AW mm QM NW mm hm hm Mw WNIWQvWMU April 22, 1952 MOTLEY 2,594,199

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION Filed May 4, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 In entor L. MOTLEY April 22, 1952 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION Filed May- 4, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 3 il fl w woh M ch mm \NMJQ. m mm MWN Q 8 A ttorn eys Patented Apr. 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE APPARATUS. FOR PROJECTING ROUNDS a ()1? AMMUNITION LewisMotley, Much Wenlock, England Application May 4', 1948, Serial No. 24,955 In GreatBritain February 3, 1947 10 Claims. (Cl. 89--33) 1' This invention relates to apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, 'Ihe'invention refers particularly to launching apparatus for projectiles of the self-propelled" or rocket type,

but it is also applicable to other types of crdnance, bomb throwers and thelike.

The object of the inventionis" the provision of improvements in such apparatus and the i'nvention consists broadly of anapparatus com-- prising two containers for the rounds, a breech element adapted to reciprocate'toand from two positions, and means whereby, as said breech element reciprocates, it alternately conveys rounds from each container to" a common location tothe apparatus illustrating the power rneans for reciprocating the breech block and" the means for controlling the-feeding of the rounds thereto, the section being in part on line II--II of "Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a section on-line III-IIIof Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan of the mechanism for' tim ing the reciprocation ofthe breech block.

Figure 5 is a section on line V V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section on line VL-VI of Figure 4.

Figure 7a is a section on line VII'-VI[ of Figure 4.

Figure 7b is a similar view to: Figure 7a but with the parts in a different position.

Figure 8 is a section. on line VIII-VIII of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a face view of a cam part included in Figures 4, 5, 7a and 7b.

Figure 10 is a view illustrating the co-opera tion of the cam part illustrated in Figure 9 with the catches which it controls.

Figure 11 is-a perspective view illustrating a in reprises two parallel feed chutes l and 2 each of which-is adapted" to contain, a column of: the

rounds 3 with their axes transverse: to the: difrection of feed along the chutes and parallel. to

the launching tube 4. The rounds. 3 are biased by means of pushers 5 pressing on the uppermost round of each column to the outlet ends of the. chutes at the bottom thereof, and the said outlet ends lead to a reciprocating breech. element 6 located just behind the rear end. of thelaunching tube 4". This breech element; 6 covers and. closes the bottom or outlet ends of. the two chutes,

but said breech element has, in its. upper surface;-

two grooves or channels 1 andawhich appertain respectively to the two chutes I: and 2. The reciprocating of said breech element is horizontal from side to side, and the'arrangem'ent is such that when said breech element is at one end of its stroke (the left hand end. according to Fig,- ure 1), the channel I is immediately inregistration with the bottom end of the chute I, while the channel 8 is directly in. line with the launch.- ing tube 4, and, when said breech element is. at the other end of its stroke, the channel a is im-- mediately in registration with the bottom of the chute '2, while the channel I- is directly in line with said launching" tube. When. either channel 1 or '8 is in registration with the bottom: endv of its respective chute I or'2', the whole: column of rounds 3 in said chute is enabled to move down under its bias until the leading. round is within said channel, and when either channel is; in line with the launching tube, the round therein is. immediately behind and coaxial with said launching tube, and inposi-tion to be fired.

It will of course be appreciated that'the channels 1 and 8 must be open both at their. front:

and rear ends and that the projectile at the firing position must have its. rear end. exposed to the atmosphere and its front end with. free chamber.

access to the launching tube. Thus the projectile can be fired by a firing mechanism behind -it and the rear blast can pass freely to the atmos phere. Each of the channels is formed with longitudinal ribs 9 which actually support the projectiles so that there is considerable clearance between the external periphery of. the projectile and the internal periphery of the major portion of the channel.

The breech element moves in a rectangular The two chutes l and 2 extend up from the roof ID of this chamber as shown and the launching tube 4 extendsfrom the front wall 14 of said The rear wall 13 of-said chamber. has an opening in it in linewith the roundin the;

' firing position, and; sealed in this opening is: an

outlet tube through which the exhaust gases from the round escape rearwardly. The roof ID of said chamber serves, together with the ribs 9 in the channels, with complete accuracy, to locate each round at the firing position.

The reciprocation of the breech element 6 is effected by means of two pneumatic units one at the front end and the other at the rear end of said breech element. Each of these units comprises a cylindrical tube l6 which passes horizontally completely through a hole |Ba through the breech element from side to side and ata level beneath the channels 1 and 8, and is rigidly secured to said breech element. Said tube H; has

its two ends open and a partition H at the centre 5 divides it into two cylinders. In these cylinders stationary pistons I8 operate, said pistons being mounted on the inner ends of respective piston rods |9 whose outer ends pass through, and are mounted in, the side walls extend axially through these piston rods l9 and pistons l8 and open at their inner ends into the tube l6 on each side 'of the partition l1, and at their outer ends which are outside the walls Air conduits 20 said conduits communicate with supply pipes 2|.

In operation, when the breech element 6 is at the left hand end of its stroke, as for example, in Figure 2, compressed air is supplied through the left hand pipe 2| and passes through the left hand conduit 20 into the interior of the tube It on the left handside of the partition l1. The tube l6, and therefore the breech element 6, are accordingly urged to the right, but, as will hereinafter appear, said breech element is retained at its left hand position until the round at the firing 5 ment into its right hand position, which is therefore effected Without'shock. When said breech element reaches the right hand position it is retained there, in opposition to the thrust now urging it to the left, until the round at the firing position in the channel 1 has passed through the barrel 4, whereupon said breech element is liberated and returns to the left. Once again it is first cushioned and then retained at the left hand end of its stroke until the next round from the channel 8 has been discharged through the barrel 4 whereupon said breech element is liberated and so on.

The two said pneumatic units will of course operate in unison, and the supply of air to their supply pipes 2| is controlled by means of an air valve 22 mounted on the inner surface of the rear wall l3 of the casing as shown in Figure 13. Said valve 22 is supplied from the source of compressed air by means of a pipe 23, and a pipe 24 leads from said valve to exhaust. A pipe 25 leads to the two pipes 2| on the left hand side,

and a pipe 26 leads to the two pipes 2| on the right hand side. The valve is operated by means of a lever 21, the arrangement being such that,

when said lever 21 is at the left hand position 7 illustrated, the pressure pipe 23 is connected'to' the pipe 25 and the exhaust pipe 24 is connected: to the pipe 26, and when said lever is at the right hand position, the pressure pipe is 'connectedatb the pipe 26 and the exhaust-pipe is connected' -to .75

the pipe 25. In other words, when the lever 21 is at the left hand position the breech element is urged to the right, and when said lever is at the right hand position said breech element is urged to the left.

Said lever 21 is biased by means of a fairly strong over-centre spring 28 which operates to hold it yieldinglyat each of its two positions. Said lever 21 is actuated by means of two catches 29 and 3|] mounted on and projecting rearwardly from the rear end of the breech element 6. These catches are spaced laterally from each other and are pivotable about pivot points 3| and 32. The arrangement is such that the left hand catch 29 is capable of yielding to the right about its pivot point in opposition to a light spring 33 but is incapable of yielding to the left. The right hand catch 30 is capable of yielding to the left about its pivot point in opposition to a light spring 34 but is incapable of yielding to the right.

Inv the position illustrated in Figure 13 the breech element 6 is at the left hand position and the lever 21 is at the left hand position so that said breech element is urged to the right. When the breech element is released upon firing of a round it will therefore be impelled to the right. The catch 30 will first engage theend of the lever 21 but will Yield to the left and pass said lever without actuating it. A little before the breech element reaches the right hand position the catch 29 will engage the end of the lever 21 and, as said catch 29 is incapable of yielding to the left, it will move said lever 21 to the right. Thus the pipe 26 will be connected to pressure and the pipe 25 to exhaust and said breech element will be urged to the left. This will produce the aforesaid cushioning effect and said breech element will continue by inertia, to its right hand position where it will be retained. The catches 29 and 3|] will now occupy the position shown in chain dotted lines. When the breech element is next released it will be impelled to the left, and in a mannerconverse to that when moving to the right, the catch 29 will first ride past the lever 21 after which the catch' 39 will force said lever 21 to the left and will pass on to the position illustrated in full lines where the breech element is at its left hand position. At this position, the cushioning effect having been produced, the breech element is again retained anda cycle is completed and will be continued as long as the rounds continue to be fired.

. Describing now the means by which the breech element 5 is retained at-each' end of its stroke and is liberated when each round has passed along the barrel, said breech element, about midway of its length has a hard elongated plate 35 rigidly mounted transversely on its under sideand said plate 35 has notches 36 and 31 formed in its under surface an equal distance one on each side of the longitudinal centre line of said breech element. Underneath said plate 35 are mounted two catches 38 and 35 These are capable of limited up and down movement and are upwardlybiased by means of respective springs 40 and 4|, but said catches are fixed in respect of horizontal movements. These catches are close to, and one on each side of, the longitudinal centre line of the apparatus as a whole, and the arrangement is such that, when the breech element 6 moves into the left hand end of its stroke as shown, the catch 39 springs up into the notch 31 and restrains the breech block against movement 'to the right hand endiof its stroke, and,

when 'said b-reech block moves to the righthand the notch 36 and restrains the breech block against movement to the left hand: end of. its stroke; When a projectile: from the channel 8. passesup thebarrel' 6: the catch 33 is pressed down for permitting the-breech element: to move to the right hand' end of its stroke. and whena projectile-from the channel 1 passes up the barrel 4 the catch 38 is pressed down forpermitting the breech element to move tothe left handendof its stroke, and so on.

For effecting this interlock between the discharged projectiles and the catches 38 and 39 a micro switch 42' (Figure 12) is provided atthe muzzleend of the barrel 4; This micro. switch has two positions, and, as-will' hereinafterlappear,

each time a projectile passes the muzzle end of 1 the barrel, said micro switch is actuated from noid' 43 is'energised said air valve ismoved to the left.

The catches 38 and 39 are mounted one-fixed elongated block 48 which extends transversely under the breech element. This block has a hole bored into each end sons to form cylinders 47 and 48; End caps 49 and 58 close these'cylinders and pistons and 52 move in said cylinders. Flush against the two sides of the block- 43 are two unlocking plates 53; These unlockingp-latesare longitudinally slidable', and both-0f themare rigidly connected to the pistons by means of cross connecting members 54 which passtransversely through holes in the respectivepistons, and'at their ends, into holes in the two unlocking plates. It will'thus be seen that the two pistons and the two-unlocking plates are secured together to form a single unlocking unit. Transverse slots 55 are cut through the block to accommodate the cross connecting members 54 when this unlocking" unit is reciprocated, and it may be here pointed out these slots 55 cut into the cylinders 4'1 and 48 towards the innerends of the latter which are never exposed topressure air.

channel 8' is accordingly in line with the barrel.

When the projectile from the channel-'8 passes up the barrel the micro switch 42 is actuated to de-energise solenoid 44 and energise solenoid 43; This effects movement of the air valve 45' to'i ts right hand position, and air is accordingly exhausted from the-right hand end of the cylinder and is admitted to the left hand end of the cylinder 41, and the unlocking unit accordingly moves to the right. Thereupon, by a cam action between the unlocking plates 53 and the catch 39,- the latter is pressed down, permitting the breech-block to move to its right hand position where it is retained by thecatch 38 in thenotch 35. When around is then fired from thechanml 1-; the} micro switch 52 re-energises" the sole 1mm. 44 and the' air valve; 45 returns? to the left hand" 'Titionand the unlocking"unitreturns to its left. hand position, and a: camaction between its. unlocking plates 53 and ;the catch 3.8 presses the latter down and permits the breech element to I return to the left. handposition. One: cycle has now been completed and .the cycles will con tinue as long as the. rounds. are fired.-

Describing nowthe. cam. action between the" unlocking plates 53" and the catches 38 and 33, it will be seen thateach of these catches consists .of' the upturned end of rectangular and fairly massive plates 56; These plates 56 are of substantially the same width as the block. 46', and

each one is mounted a slot 51 cut across the upper surface of the-block 46 with the ends'of said plates abutting against the sides of said slots and the sides of said plates substantially flush with thesides of saidblock. The ends; of

said plates whichcarry said catches 38 and'39 lowered as stated.- It will be seenthat the-thrust of thebreech element 6', when-this is'being retained by one of thecatches', is taken by the abutment of the end of the-respectiveplate against the side of its slot'51'.

Each of the plates, 56; at its end which. carries the catch 38- or 39, has two integral cam pieces 58 projecting laterally therefrom. And thetwo cam pieces 58 on eachside move in a cam slot 59 in the adjacent surface of the respective unlocking plate 53'. It will readily-beseen. from the 1 drawing that the upper surfaceof each cam slot 5- 53 moyeto the leftthe catch 38 is depressed and the catch 39 is permitted to rise, and that when the cam plates. move to the right the catch 39.is

depressed and. the catch 38 permitted to rise.

It will also be observed that; as the cam plates complete their movement to one or other position,

the lower surface of each cam slot. 53 moves underneath the lower surface of that. campiece 58 which has iustQrisen. under the influence, of,

the spring. 40 or M, so, that v the respective catch 38. or 39 is held positively at, the up position.

Describing now the operation of, the micro switch 42. by the roundspassingup thebarrel 4,

said micro. switch is actuated by means of a plunger. 60 and is of the. well-known kind which controls two circuits andchanges over from one to the. other according to whether said plunger, is depressed. or released. In the present. instance the-two circuits, areaotycourse the circuitsof the two solenoids 43. anddk Said plunger-fiodiscontrolled by means of a cam 6| which is in the form ofv a disc with its perlphery cut away in four places to form four flats 62 spaced at right angles to each other about This. camis mountediast released or depressed position according. to whether. it is inengagement with a fiatof said a cam or with a hump between flats. 63 ismounted in a slot 64 formed through the Said. shaft w'all'ofthe barrel, 4' said shaft being. transverse to the. direction, of" movement oi the proiectiles which is indicated by the; arrow X: Agratchet heel 651s: also; mounted; fast on; said shaft. and ashoe-Wis mountecl so-as to belooselyrotatable against a shoulder 69 onthe inside of said slot 64. At this limiting position said shoe 66 projects into the bore of the barrel 4 so as to be engaged by the passing rounds. Said shoe 66 carries a pawl which is biased by means of a spring ll into engagement with the ratchet wheel.

:As will be clear from the drawing, each time a round passes, the forward end of said round will engage the shoe 66 and ress it in opposition to its spring 67, out of the bore of the barrel.- Thus said shoe rotates about the shaft 63 in a clockwise direction to the position indicated in chain-dotted lines. In this direction the pawl 18 can ride freely over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 65. Actually there are eight teeth on said ratchet wheel and said pawl rides over one tooth. The shoe 66 remains at the chain-dotted line position until the rear end of the projectile has passed it, that is until said projectile is almost clear of the barrel. After this said shoe returns, under the influence of its spring 61 to the full line position, and-thepawl 18 now engages a ratchet tooth in the operative direction and turns the ratchet wheel, and therefore the shaft 63 and the cam 6|, through half a right angle. Thus if .a fiat ofthe cam was previously presented to the plunger 56 a hump will now be presented to it, so that the switch 42 will have changed over. Obviously after the next round has passed a fiat will again be presented to the plunger and the switch will again be changed over, and so on.

It will be observed that the change-over of said switch 42 does not take place'until after each round has substantially left the barrel, so the new round cannot be ever moved into the firing position until the preceding round has left the barrel.

It .willbe seen that the switch 42 is mounted on the barrel by means of a bracket l2, and the whole mechanism is shielded by means of a suitable cover 13 detachably mounted on the barrel. The reference 14 designates a cablecover which encloses the circuit conductors. u .In construction it will be seen that the portion of theshoe 66 which is mounted on the shaft 63 is bifurcated and that the ratchet wheel 65 is accommodated between the two lugs so formed.

Describing now the operation of the air valve 45, this is a longitudinally movable piston valve. It is coaxial with, and between, the plungers of the two solenoids 43 and 44. At its right hand end it is connected by a link 15 to the plunger of the solenoid 44 and at its left hand end it is connected by a link 16 to the plunger of thev solenoid 43. Said valve slides in the bore of a block 11, which is flush against the side of a block 78 which forms the support for the aforesaid block 46 in which the cylinders 41 and 48 are formed.

The air supply is introduced through a conduit 19 in the block T! which conduit 19 runs first vertically upwards then horizontally to the left parallel to the valve 45 and then horizontally and towards said valve 45 where it joins the boreof said valve where indicated in chain dotted lines in Figure 8. I I

The exhaust takes place through a conduit 88 which runs horizontally into said block 11 parallel to-the valve 45, ,and which joins-the bore of saidjvalv'e .by way. of two short radial Econduits he e sa n fre ny ha re at v lv to the right hand-cylinder 48 is by way of a conduit 82 in the block 1'! and a connecting conduit 83 in the block I8. The conduit 83 leads to a port. 6 84 in a plate 85 underlying the block 46, whichv in the upper surface of said plate, and forming.

like the groove 86, a conduit, said groove 9| leads to a port 92 in the block 46 which leads into the left-hand end of the cylinder 41. The valve 45 has two reduced portions 93 and 64, and it will be seen that, when said valve is at the left-hand position shown, the space surrounding the reduced portion 94 connects the air-supply conduit 19 with the conduit 82 and therefore with'the cylinder 48, while the space surrounding the ,re-- duced portion 93 connects the left hand exhaust conduit 8| with the conduit 88 and therefore with the cylinder 41. At this position of the valve 45 the right hand exhaust conduit 8| is closed by i said valve.

In corresponding m-annenwhen the valve 45 is at its right-hand position, the space surrounding the reduced portion 93 will connect the air-supply conduit 19 With the conduit 88 and therefore with the cylinder 41, while the space surrounding the reduced portion 94 connects the right hand exhaust conduit 6| with the conduit 82 and therefore with the cylinder 48. At this position the left hand exhaust conduit 8| is closed by the valve.

A spring loaded over-centre device is provided for ensuring that the valve 45 will move with a snap action fully into each of its two positions. Thisv device comprises a short rod 95 pivotally mounted in a slot 96 in the fixed block 11 so as to turn about the axis 91. 98 engages telescopically in an axial bore hole formed in one end of said rod 95. A spring 99 urges said rods to the extended position relative to each other, and the outer end of the rod 98 is rounded and mates in a corresponding rounded recess in the periphery of the valve 45. The op eration of said device is deemed obvious.

Describing now the mechanism by which the column of rounds 3 in the chute or 2) which is in registration with the channel (1 or 8) is enabled to move down a step to feed the leading round into the channel, a horizontal rotatable shaft I80 parallel to the rounds is mounted just outside and close alongside each chute. This shaft has mounted on it a number of escapement elements IOI, each of which is in the form, as best shown in Figure 2, of a disc with three arcuate bites, spaced at one hundred and twenty degrees to each other, out out of its edge so as jto form a three pronged star. These escapement elements project through'slots 82 in the adjacent wall of the chute.

Each shaft I08 at its rear end (i. e. at a position which is cut away in Figure 1) has rigidly mounted on it a ratchet wheel I83 with three ratchet teeth. The shafts are biasedby means of springs 9to rotate in the direction indicated by the-arrows, and normally each shaft-is held againstrotationbymeans of a pawl |84cngag -Wh ne rat hewbe -h i n 'Q ea A second short rod shaft when restrainedby said pawl a-ndratchet wheel is such that one'of-the prongs of each of the escapement elements IOI projects into the'adjacent chute so as to come under and obstruct the lowermost round, with said round filling intothe arcuate bite above said prong as best shown in Figure 2. Thus both columns of rounds are prevented from moving downwardly.

Shortly after the breech element '6 commences to move from one position to the other (sayfrom the left hand position to the right hand position) an unlocking arm I05 associatedwith said breech element actuates the right hand pawl I04 to cause the same momentarily to'release its ratchet wheel I03. The right hand shaft -I'together with its escapement elements IOI is therefore free to rotate under its bias in the direction to permit the lowermost round in the chute 2 to move down. By this time the leading portion of the breech element will be underneath-saidlowermostiround and will support it until the channel=8 comes-im mediately beneath it, whereupon said lowermost round will fall into said channel :8. During this movement, as will be clear from Figure 2,: the shaft I00 with its escapement elements IOI will rotate until the next ratchet tooth .is-stopped by the pawl I04, and the nextprong of :each-of the escapement elements will now come under, and will obstruct, the next round, now the lowermost one in the chute. A 0n the return movement of the breechelement the aforesaid unlocking arm I is adapted to ride past the said right-hand pawl I04 without actuating it, but a like left hand unlocking arm I05 now actuates the left-hand pawl I04, and

thus the lowermost round of the left-hand chute I is released tofall into the left-hand channel I. The cycle 'may now continue indefinitely.

Describing now more particularly the pawls I04 andtheir unlocking arms I05, immediately above a flange-like projection I06 at the back end of the breech element "6 a transverse slot is :cut in the roof I0 of the casing, and, in this slot is .fixed an inverted channel-shaped piece I01. 'If-he roof and part of the side walls of this inverted channel-shaped piece is cut away at two places to accommodate the pawls I04. vIt is deemed that the manner in which these pawls are pivotally mounted in these cut away spaces clear from Figure 2. Each of said pawls is upwardly ibiased into engagement with its respective ratchet'wheel I03 by meansof a spring loaded plunger -I-0.8:in the thickness of one or each of the Side walls of the channel-shaped piece I01.

Each of said pawls has downwardly depending from its underside two parallel longitudinal webs I09, and each of thesewebs, at its lower edge, has an inwardly turned flange II-0 forming .an inclined cam surface.

Pivotally mounted .in slots -I II in the flange portion I05 of the breech element 6,, so as to pivot about pins 'I I2 traversing said slots, are the two" unlockin arms I05. .Each of these is in the form of a relatively thin plate or web which-is The operation will now be clear, when the breech element 6 moves to the right from the left hand position shown in Figure 2, after .a short distance has been passed'the web of the right hand unlocking arm I05 will pass betweenthe flanges I I0 of the right hand pawl I 04, andthe under surface of the inclined cross flange II-3 of said right-hand unlocking arm will engage the over surfaces of said flanges I,I0 of the right hand pawl I04 andwill press said pawl down in opposition to its spring bias thereby liberating the ratchet wheel I03. This pressing down of said pawl is only momentary, because immediately the flange II3 passes the flanges IIO, said pawl will spring up again, and it does this in good time to 'arrest-the next tooth of the ratchet -wheel l03, more particularly because the rotation of said ratchet wheel is delayed by the delay in the down passage of the lowermost round caused by its need to wait for the channel 8.

At-about the same time as the right hand pawl when the breech element makes .its return movement to the left-hand position the left-hand iting position determined by the engagementof a stop onpsaid unlocking arm with .astop onthe inside of the slot I II (indicated indotted lines in Figure 2) .the shaft 36 of said prior specification). shaft .115 is driven byan electric torque motor unlocking arm I05 will release the left-hand pawl I04, and the right hand unlocking arm I05 will ride past the right-hand pawl.

With regard to the pushers 5 which bias the rounds down their respective chutes I and '2, the manner .in which these pushers are operated forms no part of the present invention, and they may be .operated any suitable way. In the arrangement illustrated they are operated in'a manner which is substantiallyidentical with that described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of prior specification-No. 592,714. Thus the pushen elements 5 of each chute (equivalent to the elements 32 of said prior specification) are mounted on endless chains which run over sprockets within channel-shaped housings -I'I4 (equivalent to those 45 of said prior specification). The upper sprockets .are fast on a shaft 'I I5 (equivalent to Said I.I6 mounted on the wall of the respective chute, which motor, through a suitable gear train drives apinion .I II which is looseon said shaft and is connected .to the shaft by means of a coil spring I18; the said parts H6, .I I1 and H8 being equivalent to the parts 53; 55 and 56 of said-prior specification. Further details are as described in saidpriorspecification.

It will be seen that the housings II4 constitute the means for carrying the bearings for the shaft I00. This shaft may pass through said housings eitherfjust above or just below the lowermost sprockets (35 in said prior specification). The aforesaid springs I I9, which fbfias .said shafts I0 are adapted 'to' be "manually primed 'in -.any suitable way, and, after Jeach riming they are capable of effecting the total rotation of theshaft required for 'a'full-charge of rounds in the respective chute Reverting toFigure 4 .the references I20 .and I2 I designate two .microswiltches .each of which has two positions which will be termed a and b. When the unlockingun'it comprising-the unlocking plates "5.3 -moves .to the left-hand position it said switch I2I returns to position a.

11 operates switch I to position band when it moves out of the left-hand position'saidswitch I20 returns to-position a. In like manner when said unlocking unit moves to the right-hand -position it operates switch I2I to position b and when it moves out of said right-hand position Said' two switches I20 and I.2I are connected in series in the firing circuit, in such a way that said circuit is positively broken when both' switches are at position a, but can be established by the normal firing means when either of said switches is at position a and the other is at position 1). Thus it is ensured that from the moment said unlocking unit leaves one of its two positions and until it fully reaches the other the firing mechanism cannot be established. This is simply a precaution and said switches can, if desired, be dispensed with.

More particularly each of said switches is normally at the position a and is actuated to position b when a thrust rod I22 is pressed against its plunger. -When the unlocking unit moves into its left-hand position the thrust rod I22 of the switch I20 is actuated by the left hand end of one of the unlocking plates 53, and said switch is actuated to its position b. Immediately said unlocking unit leaves its left-hand position, said thrust rod is disengaged by said unlocking plate 53 and the switch returns to position a. The

switch I2 I is operated in like manner-by the other fired there is a large force, caused-by the blast pressure, tending to force the breech'element 6 away from the under surface of the roof Ill of the main casing. Actually the blast pressure may be about sixty pounds per square inch which means that the separating force may be about ten tons. To withstand this force it is necessary to lock the breech element 6 to the under surface of the roof I0, and, in the present arrangement this is effected by providing lateral slots I25 of dove-tail section in the said under surface and co-engaging tongues I26 of the same section on the upper surface of the breech element. These tongues and slots are in permanent engagement and form guide means for the breech element in making its to-and-fro movement.

All other structural features are deemed clear from the drawing.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising two containers for, the rounds, a reciprocable breech element, said breech element including two receptacles, one 'of said receptacles being adapted to receive a round from one of said containers when said breech element is at one end of its stroke, while the other receptacle holds a round previously received from the other container, at a common location to enable the round to be discharged, and said other receptacle being adapted to receive a round from, said other contain'er when said breech element is at the other end of its stroke, while the first-named receptacle holds a round previously received from the first-named container, at said common location.

2. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising a barrel, two containers for 'the rounds, each. container being formed with an elongated outlet through which a round can pass at right angles to its axis, a breech element adapted to reciprocate in a direction transversely to the barrel, said breech element being formed with two channels transverse to the direction of movement of said breech element, one of said channels registering with the outlet of one of said containers when said breech element is 'at one end of its stroke and thereby receiving a round from said container, while the other I channel holds a round, previously received from the other container, at a common location accurately in line behind said barrel to enable said round to be discharged through said barrel, and the other channel registering with the outlet of said other container when said breech element is at the other end of its stroke and thereby receiving a round from saidcontainer, and the firstnam ed channel holding a round, previously received from the first-named container at said common location to enable said round to be discharged through said barrel.

3. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising two containers for the rounds, a breech element adapted to reciprocate,

said breech element including two receptacles,

and means operable, when 'said breech element is at one end of its stroke, that one of said receptacles receives a round from one of said containers, and the other receptacle holds a round,

previously received from the other container, at a common location and, when said breech element is at the other end of its stroke, the last-named receptacle receives a round from the last-named container and the first-named receptacle holds a round, previously received from the firstnamed container, at said common location, means for discharging each round at said common" location, means for positively retaining said breech element at each end of its stroke until the round at said common location is discharged, and means responsive to said last-named round being discharged for moving said breech element to one of said channels registers with the outlet of one of said containers and thereby receives a round from said container, and the other channel holds a round, previously received from ammunition,

ass-4,191;

hormally projecting into said bore, and adapted tobe actuatedby the passage of a round along "said bore, means -for positively retaining said breech element at each end of its stroke until said'element is so actuated, and means responbreech element is at one end of its stroke, that one of said channels registers with the outlet of one of said containers and thereby receives a round from said container, and the other channel holds a round, previously received from the other container, at a common location accurately in line behind said barrel, and, when said element is at the other end of its stroke, the last-named channel registers with the outlet of the last-named container and thereby receives a round from said container, and; the first-named channel holds a round, previously received from the first-named container at said common location, means for dischargin each round at said common location, whereby it passes along the bore of said barrel, an element normally projecting into said bore near the muzzle end thereof and adapted to be moved from its normal position by engagement by a round passing along said bore and to return to said normal positionwhen said round haspassed, means for positively retaining said breech element at each end of 'its stroke until said element has moved from and returned to said nor- Y mal position, and means responsive to said element moving from and returning to said normal position, for moving said breech element to the other end of its stroke.

6. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising two containers for the rounds, a breech element adapted to reciprocate, said breech element including two receptacles, and means operable, when said breech element is at one end of its stroke, that one of said receptacles receives a round from one of said containers, and the other receptacle holds a round, previously received from the other container, at a common location, and, when said breech element is at the other end of its stroke, the last-named receptacle receives a round from the last-named container and the first-named receptacle holds a round, previously received from the first-named container, at said common location, means for discharging each round at said common location, a motor device operable, upon said breech element reaching each end of its stroke, to return it to the other end of its stroke, latching means for latching said breech element positively at each end of its stroke, and means operable, in response to each round being discharged, for actuating said latching means to the unlatching state.

7. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising two containers for the rounds, a breech element adapted to reciprocate, said breech element including two receptacles, and means operable, when said breech element is at-onee'nd of its strbke, -that one of said receptcles receives a round from one of said can- 'tainers, and the other receptacle holds a round,

previously received from the other container,

are common location, and, when said breech elemen -t is at the "other end of itsstro'ke, the lastna'in'ed receptacle receives a round from the lastriamedcontainer and the first-named receptacle holds around, previously received from the first named container, at said common location, means for discharging each round at said common location, afluid pressure motor device operable, upon "said breech element reaching each end of its stroke, to return it to the other end of its stroke,

latching inea'ns for latching said breech element positively at each end of its stroke, a reciprocable adapted, on movement to one end of its stroke,-to 'unla tch saidbreech element whenat "onee'nd of its stroke, and, on movement to the other end of its stroke, to unlatch said breech "el'erhntwhen at t'he other end of its stroke, fluid pressure means for moving said reciprocable unit from each end of its stroke to the other, a twoposition fluid control valve for controlling said fluid pressure means to move said reciprocable unit in its two directions, and electrical means responsive to each round moving along its discharge path to actuate said valve from either of its two positions to the other.

8. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising a barrel, two containers for the rounds, each container being formed with an elongated outlet through which a round can pass at right angles to its axis, a breech element adapted to reciprocate in a direction transversely to the barrel, said breech element being formed with two channels transverse to the direction of movement of said breech element, means biasing the rounds of each container to the outlet of said container, escapement mechanism associated with each container, means operable, just before said breech element reaches one end of its stroke, that one of said escapement mechanisms operates to permit one round to pass through the outlet of the container corresponding to said escapement mechanism, and when said breech element reaches the last-named end of its stroke one of said channels registers with the last-named outletand thereby receives the last-named round, and, at the same time the other channel holds a round previously received from the, other container, at a common location accurately in line behind said barrel, to enable said round to be discharged through said barrel, and means operable, just before said breech element reaches the other end of its stroke, that the other escapement mechanism operates to permit one round to pass through the outlet of the other container, and when said breech element reaches said other end of its stroke, the other channel registers with said outlet end of said other container and thereby receives the last-named round, and at the same time, the first-named channel holds a round previously received from the first-named container at said common location.

9. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising a barrel, a plurality of containers for the rounds, a reciprocable breech element, means responsive to each reciprocating movement of said breech element in one direction for conveying a round from one container, and, responsive to each reciprocating movement in the other direction for conveying a round from another container, alternately to a common .means for discharging each round at said common location through said barrel, an element normally projecting into said barrel in the path of and actuatable by each round discharged, means for positively retaining said breech element at each end of its stroke until said element is so actuated, and means responsive to said element being so actuated formoving said breech element to the other end of its stroke.

10. An apparatus for discharging rounds of ammunition, comprising a plurality of containers for the rounds, a reciprocable breech element, means responsive to each reciprocating movement of said breech element in one direction for conveying a round from one container, and, responsive to each reciprocating movement in the other direction for conveying a round from another container, alternately to a common location, means for discharging each round at said common location, a motor device operable upon said breech element reaching each end of its 16 stroke to urge it towards the other end of its stroke, latching means for latching saidbreech element positively at each end of its stroke, and means operable in response to each round being discharged, for actuating said latching means to the unlatching state.

LEWIS MOTLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,709,399 Herlach et al Apr. 16, 1929 I 1,784,355 Herlach et al. Dec. 9, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 803,973 France July 20, 1936 63,159 Denmark Feb. 5, 1945 

